Matthew 13:10–17

The Purpose of the Parables

¹⁰Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” ¹¹And he answered them, ^x“To you it has been given to know ^ythe secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ^12zFor to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, ^aeven what he has will be taken away. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables, because ^bseeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, ^cnor do they understand. ¹⁴Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

^d“ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

¹⁵For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears ^ethey can barely hear,

and ^ftheir eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and ^gunderstand with their heart

and ^hturn, and I would heal them.’

¹⁶But ⁱblessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷ⁱFor truly, I say to you, ^jmany prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.